Many mixed emotions accompany this entry on our blog...we are entering the final days of our time here in Harmony, Pennsylvania.  Some days flew by, others not so much, but we have cherished the opportunity to be here and serve in such a sacred and beautiful place.

 We will miss the peace and serenity that we feel as we walk the roads that the prophet Joseph Smith and his lovely bride walked and planned their future as newlyweds.   We will miss reading a verse from the Book of Mormon in the room where it first fell from the lips of the prophet.  We will miss walking in the quiet grove where Joseph and Oliver went to pray and where John Baptist appeared in answer to their prayer and restored the priesthood of God to the earth.  We will miss the quiet ripple of the river where the first baptisms in the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times took place.  And we will miss the sweet spirit of all the people who have come and visited this site with a desire to strengthen their testimonies and draw closer to the Savior.  It's been an honor to know and serve them.

And we will miss the beautiful young sister missionaries that we have grown to know and love as if they were family.

                             


                               They truly have been our light here.

                             

We started the "B-Group" with these missionaries.  All of us have names that start with the letter B---Bells, Baantjer, Bingham, and Banners.  We may be the B-Group, but they are A+ missionaries!

  

We were blessed with the opportunity to attend the Philadelphia Temple a week ago with all of the missionaries who will be departing this month.

And while in Philadelphia we took advantage of the opportunity to see some historical sites...the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and Redding Street market where, of course, we had to have a Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich.   

                                             

As we prepare to head home we had a little fun in the Isaac 

Hale home where we couldn't resist trying on some of the hats on display there.  Can't you just picture Emma Smith wearing this???

           

Her father, Isaac, was a hunter and would have worn a hat much like this.  It makes Dean look sooooo handsome, don't you think?

Thank you to all who have followed us through this journey.  We have felt your love, prayers and support.  You are dear to our hearts and we look forward to being together again soon.

Winter Time

My, my! When I look back at the last post I realize how long it's been and am amazed at how much time has passed.  The holidays came and went and here we are in the middle of a bone-chilling Pennsylvania winter.  Single digit temps are the norm and the windchill factor dropped us all the way down to a -22 a few days ago.  The snow hasn't been deep yet---just three or four inches at a time, but it seems like every morning we wake up to a new snow fall.  

  The view from our front porch every morning. 

Even the statues are looking frigid!   BRrrrrrr...

 The weather has definitely had an effect on the number of people who come and visit us at the site, so we have to be creative and find things to do to fill our time productively.  The Church had an initiative called "Light the World".  They asked people across the world to look for ways during the 25 days in December leading up to Christmas day to find ways to cheer, serve and bless others as the Savior would do if He were here....thus bringing light to the world.  

The missionaries put our heads together and came up with a few ideas that we could do.

Here is our list:

One of the most enjoyable things on the list was to go caroling.  We took cookies to our neighbors and to the mayor of Susquehanna.  On another evening, we joined with the Methodist Church and loaded up a bus and went caroling at a care center and also visited some shut-ins.  This gentleman served in WW II and was so grateful and delighted that we came.

Some homemade cranberry bread for our new friends.

All of the missionaries worked hard and made 20 knit beanies and 15 lovely fleece blankets that we took to Philadelphia and donated to a charity that helps clothe and house new refugees to the area.  They were thrilled with our small offering and it warmed our hearts to be able to help.

 

Dean and I also put together some wreaths to place on the graves of Emma Smith's parents and Joseph and Emma's first child who are buried near the Visitor Center.

Christmas Eve found the Senior missionaries at our home after we attended a mass at the Catholic Church.  We enjoyed a dinner together and then read the Christmas story from Luke 2 and sang some carols....reminding us of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ on that night over 2000 years ago.

On Christmas morning we had a big breakfast with the young sister missionaries, Sister Spackman and Sister Carter and we all opened our gifts together.  It made if feel almost like home to have their bright smiles and enthusiasm around our home.

We're so grateful for all those who remembered us and sent their love, gifts and good wishes to us during the holidays.  We know we are truly blessed!